Overcoming the demon of debt…by Valerie Rousseau

In our world today people are stressed and depressed because they’ve
gotten into debt with the overuse of credit cards and excessive loans.

Our families are falling apart‚ and millions of people are loosing their homes‚
because we refused to be content‚ and seek godly wisdom from God’s word
to manage our finances.

In the last few weeks we’ve seen evidence of a global financial crisis‚ and
it it time to seek God and not the government to get us out of trouble.

King David‚ a man after God’s own heart said…

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

God promises to supply all our needs‚ but not our greed.

In love he warns us…
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after‚
they have erred from the faith‚ and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10

One of the greatest causes of divorce in our world‚ is arguing over money.
Worry and stress over finances‚ lead to depression and often illnesses.

Brothers and sisters‚ the Bible says…Satan is roaming around seeking whom he
may devour. He wants to kill your dreams‚ destroy your health‚ and keep you
enslaved to the demon of debt.

Your loving Father sent me today to tell you how to break free from the
prison of debt and restore peace and joy to your life.

He has a good plan for your life and says…
Beloved‚ I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health‚
even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John vs. 2

I understand how it feels to be drowning in debt‚ because when
my husband and I first married we experienced the pain‚ heartache‚
and fear that comes from an economy in recession‚ loosing jobs and illness.

We had not adequately planned for emergencies and the stress was overwhelming.

We had 2 loans on our home‚ one for 8% and another at 10 3/4%.
In addition we had a car loan and were living from paycheck to paycheck.

It took years for us to finally realize we couldn’t be debt free on our own.
We needed God and his divine intervention and favor.

When we finally surrendered our lives to the LORD and began reading his word‚
things began to turn around‚ and within a few years‚ we were debt free.

God tells us in his word…
Owe no man any thing‚ but to love one another. Romans 13:8

God’s children are supposed to strive to be debt free so we can lend to many
nations and not borrow. We then can serve the LORD in a greater way‚ and
finance the advancement of the Gospel.

In Proverbs 22:7 God says…The borrower is servant to the lender.

God doesn’t want us to be a servant to anyone except Him.

He alone can give us the favor and blessings to provide for our families.

The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. Probverbs 22:2

It grieves the LORD when we get into debt and then treat our neighbors unkindly
by not paying our bills or declaring bankruptcy.

Many get angry when creditors hound them for their money‚ but they have lent you
the money in good faith. They have homes and families to feed too.

When a person declares bankruptcy‚ you’re stealing from your neighbor.

You may get out from under your bills‚ but you’ll ruin your credit rating‚
and are sowing seeds for people to steal from you in the future.

The Bible says…
Povety and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that
regardeth reproof shall be honored. Proverbs 13:18

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house. Proverbs 15:27

Our prisons are full of people who refused God’s instructions
and chose to steal‚ rather than work‚ save‚ and sow seeds towards
their future.

We reap what we sow.

Like a farmer‚ we must sow seeds of kindness into the lives of others‚ so we too will be blessed.

He that has a bountiful eye shall be blessed: for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
Proverbs 22:9

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given
will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have
many a curse. Proverbs 28:27

Satan wants to steal your health and wealth by encouraging you to over eat‚
drink‚ and party…but God warns his children…

He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Proverbs 21:17

There was great joy in Jerusalem as in the days of King Solomon‚ for the people were
united in faith with the LORD.

After the great feast and sacrifices‚ all of Isreal went out to the cities of Judah and broke
into pieces the high places and altars to the false gods‚ until they had totally destroyed them.

Hezekiah appointed priests to offer burnt offerings‚ peace‚ and thank offerings to the
LORD according to the law.

He made great sacrificial offerings from his house and commanded the children of
Israel to bring 10% (a tithe) from all the abundance of their firstfruits of corn‚ wine‚
oil‚ honey‚ and their flocks and fields.

They were eager to sacrifice to the LORD and were thankful for all he had done for them.

For 4 months they gathered the offerings into heaps.

In the 7th month‚ when Hezekiah and the princes saw the great heaps‚ they questioned
the priests and Levites about them.

Azariah the chief priest answered‚

Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD‚
we have had enough to eat‚ and have left plenty: for the LORD has blessed
his people and left this great store. 2 Chronicles 3:10

Hezekiah commanded chambers to be made in the house of the LORD
to store the abundance. The people continued to bring the tithes and
dedicated things faithfully and Hezekiah and his people prospered.

Hezekiah knew the key to prosperity and was faithful to lead his
people according to God’s will.

Many get angry when their pastors or teachers try to encourage them to tithe.
They are greedy and want to keep their money for themselves.

The Bible says…
Honour the LORD with thy substance‚ and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty‚ and thy presses shall burst out with
new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

It grieves me to walk into churches today and see selling and
commercialism. Like Jesus‚ my heart is overwhelmed‚ and I
am tempted to turn over the tables like he did.

God didn’t run out of money‚ and he wants us to teach people
godly principles and give offerings to support the work of
the LORD and the poor.

Jesus said‚ Make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise. John 3:16

Why are we dishonoring him‚ by turning our Father’s house into a restaurant
or garage sale?

We are believers‚ not beggars.

Jesus said‚ Ask‚ and it will be given you.

When he threw the people out of the temple who were selling‚
the people came into the house of the LORD and received healing.

Today in many parts of the world‚ the economy is failing.
Draught‚ violence‚ war‚ and disease are oppressing God’s
children‚ and we wonder why?

God’s word says‚

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say‚
Wherein have we robbed thee?

In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed
me‚ even this whole nation.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse‚ that there may be meat
in my house‚ and prove me now herewith‚ saith the LORD of hosts‚
if I will not open you windows of heaven‚ and pour you out a blessings‚
that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:8-10

If you’re tired of living in poverty and oppression‚ I pray you
will put the LORD to the test he offers you.

God can supernaturally make 90% go farther than 100%.

Not one of his good promises have ever failed.

Those who obey his commands and give him tithes and offerings…
he promises to rebuke the devourer and not destroy the fruit of your
ground.

All nations will call you blessed and you will live in a delightful land.

Those who sow bountifully‚ shall reap bountifully.

God loves you precious one so much‚ that he sent his only Son Jesus
to die on the cross for your sins and those of the whole world.

He offers to all who will believe in Jesus‚ the free gift of eternal life‚
forgiveness from their sins‚ and all the promises written is his
letter of love…the Bible.

Those who refuse to read God’s word‚ forfeit many of their blessings‚
for lack of knowledge.

Jesus is standing at the door of your heart‚ waiting for you to invite
him in.

All who call upon the name of the LORD‚ will be saved.

In gratitude for the suffering Jesus did for us‚ we should want to
serve the LORD and follow his commands.

Give and it will be given to you!

God loves a cheerful giver!

He that spared not his own Son‚ but delivered him up for us all‚
how shall he not also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

Trust him beloved…

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches
in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Merciful Father in heaven‚
How foolish we are to be greedy and doubt your great love for us.
LORD Jesus‚ I repent of my sins and ask you to cleanse me from the filth
in my mind and heart. I need you to be my Saviour. Only by your blood
am I worthy to come before the Father and ask for his blessings and favor.
Help me think with the mind of Christ and trust you to provide all I need
for this body and life. Help me to freely give of my time‚ gifts‚ and offerings
in gratitude for the bountiful blessings you have entrusted to my care.
All I have is yours‚ and I am grateful for the privilege of being your
steward‚ while on this earth. Show me how I may serve you and
give glory to your name. Bless and multiply the seeds which I
sow to reap a bountiful harvest. Let repentance and revival
spread throughout our land. Give wisdom and knowledge to
your people and our leaders‚ so our nations will be blessed
and live in peace. With you‚ all things are possible.

We lift up prayers to you for all our brothers and sisters who hold anger or bitterness
in their hearts and no longer attend worship. Call them quickly back to the flock‚ so
they will not be led astray by the attacks of the evil one. We love them and desperately
want them to be saved and protected. Correct them in love and have mercy upon
them for your name’s sake.

We lift up prayers to you for all who are suffering from sickness or adversity.
Give comfort and strength to your children‚ and help them to go through their season of suffering
and trials victorious. We thank you for always hearing our prayers and trust you to watch
over our loved ones. We cast all our cares to you‚ for you care for us.

Give wisdom to all who are in debt‚ so they can pay their bills and be set free from
this prison of fear and anxiety. Open doors of favor for all who need jobs. You are
the Great Provider and our ever present help in times of trouble. If you are for us‚
no one can stand against us.

In Jesus blessed name we pray.
Amen

Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD‚ that delighteth greatly
in his commandments. His seed shall be mighy upon the earth: the generation
of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his
righteousness endureth forever. Psalm 112:1-3